[R]eal inquiry presupposes that truth matters. That it is true that there
is a truth of the matter we’re investigating, even if it turns out
that we can’t find it. Maybe the next generation can, or two or three
or ten after that, or maybe just someone more skilled than we are. But
we have to think there is something to find in order for inquiry to be
genuine inquiry and not just an arbitrary game that doesn’t go
anywhere. We like games, but we also like genuine inquiry. That’s why truth matters. (t.180)

Take away reasoned argument and the requirement of reference to evidence ... and what can be left other than force of one kind or another? Either rhetorical force, via equivocation, fuzzy emotive vocabulary, straw men, exaggeration, appeals to the community or the nation or the deity; or physical force, via laws and the police. If the postmodernist academic Left is busy asserting that reason is merely a mask for power then who is going to prevent US legislators from simply mandating the teaching of ID or creationism in the secular public schools? And how will they go about it? With rhetoric and emotive appeals? But the other side, the theist side, is at least as good at that, and often better: evangelists tend to be good rhetoricians. Thus if postmodernism has busily eroded public belief in reason, evidence, logic and argument for the past 40 years or so, as it has, then all too often it is the case that rhetoric is all that's in play. And behold, it wins, even though the other side has the better case. All rhetoric has to do to win convince people; it doesn't have to do it legitimately or reasonably or honestly. (t.171-172)

Anffyddiaeth

This blog advocates atheism, secularism, skepticism, free speech and civil liberties. It opposes religion and superstition, irrationality, pseudo-science and bigotry. It is also written entirely in Welsh. If you're stuck,Google Translate gives an imperfect but reasonable gist.